Mimaw and Pipaw Play in NH

We've just come home from another great weekend with family in NH. This time, it was Mike's sister and her family. Hopefully, I will blog about it down the line. For now, I wanted to share what we did last time we were up in New Hampshire. It was just after Dylan's birthday with my parents.

With so much work going into the party, it was definitely time to let my parents play for a bit. Plus, the last time they saw our place there last summer, it was still studs on foundation...they've never been to the finished product. On Sunday evening, we cleaned up after the party and Monday morning, packed up and went north. My Dad, who pretty much won't sit down if there's anything at all needs to be done anywhere around (he's a big helper, that one), headed to our deck immediately upon arriving and was found reading there anytime we were hanging out at the condo. I'm glad he got some much deserved R&R.

That afternoon, we visited Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves. We had only been there once about 6 years ago so it was definitely time for another visit. The weather was threatening but we someone escaped with only a few sprinkles falling on us.

The boys made a new friend!

Heading Down Into the Gorge

As you can see, it's a beautiful area. And, as the name says, there are caves that you can climb through. Now, we frequent the Polar Caves and I've carried both of my boys through those caves in backpacks (carefully). These caves definitely don't allow for that. Most of them required crawling, climbing and some even squeezing. Mom bypassed a few, I braved most, and Dad did all he could. The below cave he had to pass on!

The Squeezer Gauge

Dylan and Cade had a great time crawling in and out of all the caves!

We stopped afterwards in North Woodstock for some dinner. It's a good thing this place had lots of knick knacks to look at. They were pretty much the only thing that kept my boys entertained for the ridiculously long wait for food. 

The next day we decided to go on a hike. I tried to pick a nice easy one for our group. We started out on the trail that warned of closings. Upon closer inspection of the notice of the closings, it was past where we had planned to go. However, we hit a road block (quite literally) and were forced to head back to the car and figure out a plan B. There was another entrance to the trail the construction workers had told us about so we went to find it. Unfortunately, that entrance added too much length to the trail and it would have been too long for our group that day. So we did another one with a trailhead right where we were which ended up being pretty difficult for our level of hikers in the group. Pipaw and Mimaw (especially Mimaw) and the boys (little ones) were troopers and didn't complain (much).

Cade played the herder of the group and made sure the back of the group was ok, helped folks over water crossings, and was always very diligent that he kept track of Pipaw. He very regularly turned around, signaled with his hand and said "come on Paw." It was very sweet and cute.

Pipaw and Cade

We didn't make it to the final destination. We got to a bridge, stopped to take a rest and made the wise decision to head back. Everyone was pretty tired at this point.

Butterflies on the Bridge

Had to tell the boys over and over to be careful and not whack the butterflies with their poles.

This is how Dylan felt about doing more hiking. He was tired.

So his sweet brother tried to comfort him.

And we got him to smile!

Mike was pretty tired and grumpy at this point. I made him pretend to be happy for a picture with me.

Troopers

Tried to get Cade to smile for a selfie with me but he was just interested in his snack.

We took a different route back that was actually a mountain bike trail. It was longer in length then heading back the way we had come, but a wider trail with less rocks and tree routes. It was definitely better for my Mom. Mike and Dylan went ahead while Cade and I stayed with my parents to make sure they were doing ok. Cade stayed very entertained playing "on your mark, get set, go!" He and I would race for just a minute before we would stop, get back into starting racing position and go again.

Since the beginning of the trail ran alongside the road, I decided to plop Cade on my back and run back as quickly as possible to grab the car and pull it up as far as we could to pick up my parents. Dylan and Mike took the original trail at that point and Cade and I took the curvy road. We got to the car at the same time, got everyone in and drove back up a little while to pick up my resting parents.

Back at the condo, we packed up to head back to Massachusetts. While we were getting the house closed up, the boys played outside. Dylan found a frog!

Ribbit!

A quick and tiring tour of NH but we had to get back. I had only arranged for 2 days off and my parents had to fly out on Wednesday. I'm glad they finally got to see\experience our new place! Next time we go up, I'll be sure to "schedule" more time for my Dad to relax on the deck.

More Than Meets The Eye

Since Dylan's birthday is July 6th, our 4th of July now consists of mostly party prep. As usual, my parents (aka awesome grandparents) flew up for the occasion and helped us prepare. As the weather wasn't so hot, we mostly stuck to the house, cleaned, cooked, and decorated (and ran errands as party needs arose).

Also, it being the 4th and a time when lots of folks may have had long weekend plans, we decided to have the party on Sunday afternoon...which just happened to be Dylan's actual birthday. Pretty special to have a party on the date...doesn't happen every year. And since he was so aware and excited about it all, I really tried to lay on some extras to make the day super special for him.

For me, the day started at 6am. I wanted to get in a bit of exercise and go pick up some birthday breakfast for my oldest son. Before I left, I placed a stack of gifts outside of his door in case he woke up before I got back (which he didn't). I ran down to Dunkin' Donuts and ran back. By the time he woke up, birthday donuts were set up and ready to go! Then he got to open gifts from me and my parents.

Cade playing with Dylan's new Monster 500 cars.

While Dylan and Cade played with new toys, the adults all got to work. We had baking, decorating and cleaning to do. Why is it that no matter how much I try to get done in advance, there's still way too much to get done before the party? And I really tried to scale back\keep myself in check on this one. Always too much I want to do for these special days of course. Some of the things I did in advance was lots of planning (obviously), ordered and printed some special things from Etsy, played with my new Cricut machine and did some printing for decorations, party gifts and even had food catered so food prep would be minimal.

Sign That Greeted Guests at the Door

Special "Dylan is Turning 5" Water Bottle Labels

Balloons, Masks and New Sweatshirt for the Bumblebee Lovin' B'day Boy
(Even though it was really warm that day, we had a hard time getting him to take off that sweatshirt!)

Rock Candy Colored Centerpieces and AWESOME Cake by Mimaw

Close Up of Mimaw's Wonderful Creation
She really outdoes herself every year and this was no exception.
Dylan asked for Megatron and Bumblebee on his cake and that's what he got!

Cake and Ice Cream Table

Deceptacon and Autobot Cookies

Quick Picture with My B'day Boy Before the Guests Arrived

Transformer Taco Bar!

Energon Cubes (aka Jello)

I really had planned several games and activities and thought this party might be more structured then some of our others. But with not enough time to get them all together and a hot day, we fell back on our usual hang out, have food, splash in the pool and run around.

Matt, Ethan, Isabella and Caroline

Ethan Hamming It Up

Molly

Oh, and we also had "Megatron's Maze" which was a huge, inflatable obstacle course. Way more fun than a bouncy house for the kids of all ages at the party.

B'day Boy and Wyatt

Reagan and Alicia

There was a point in the party where it seemed like everyone was falling apart. One child crying started a domino effect and I thought we were going to lose half our guests prematurely. So, Mom to the rescue! I sent everyone outside for the one big surprise I had gotten together for the party. A silly string battle! All the kids shook their cans, the adults help me take off the stickers sealing the tops on, rules were laid down and practice squirts were done.

Layin' Down the Law

Ready for Battle!

And GO! It was a blast. Even though some of the younger kids weren't quite able to manage spraying by themselves, the adults ran by and helped. The older kids and adults (older, older kids) had a blast too. In fact, the only 2 people that didn't seem to love it were my kids! Stinkers. Dylan did enjoy watching the battle from his post on the swing set. Cade tolerated the battle after I picked him up to carry him around and promptly removed any string that got stuck on him (he has a thing with hair and other stuff being on him....really hates it).

See - Dylan is smiling! (Thanks Auntie Maureen and Emily!)

I think my friend Eleni was the one with the camera. She got some great shots - thanks, Eleni!

Dylan's friend Libby came up to me as the battle was winding down to show my her silly string ball. Now, I knew the silly string would be a hit and decided to suck it up and just deal with the major mess it would cause. However, after Libby showed me that, I had the lightbulb moment and declared a "who can make the largest silly string ball" contest. All the kids circled the yard, picking up tons of silly string and smooshing it together for silly string balls. I will forever be thankful to Libby for that idea (and for the parents that also chipped in to help with clean up) because there really wasn't much left in the yard for us to pick up the following day.

Then it was time for cake. Dylan, being the little planner that he is, told me how the cake thing was going to go down. Pretty much every year at this point in the party, he tries to hide under the table and I have to struggle to keep him up. And though he's still not exactly the center of attention kind of guy, this aspect of his birthday definitely saw improvement. During the singing, he just looked down, then slowly started leaning in to me and hugging me. He then opted to not blow out his candles and asked his brother to do it for him. Cade was ever so happy to step in to help.

Deep Breath....

Love this picture of that lower lip out...the end of his blow out.

Then it was time to eat the cake. That, Dylan was totally into!

Then it was more play and fun. The kids were inside, outside, dipping in the pool, and climbing through the maze. The adults were spread throughout watching over the kiddos and out on the deck enjoying the day.

Cade (with the ever so popular gift, Zoom Zombie) and Isabella

Cade and His Good Bud Caroline

Bob, Kate, Matt, Ethan, Eleni, Chloe (at table)
Clara, Papaw and Dan (behind)

The Deck Crew
Maureen, Joe, Jim and Kristina

Jacob and Dylan Inside, Corwin Outside

Optimus Prime and Bumblebee
(Wyatt and Dylan)

After most of our friends were pooped out, packed up and out, Dylan decided he would like to open presents outside. So we moved it out where family and best friend Isabella helped him open his gifts. Lots of Monster 500 (spooky racing guys\cars) and Transformers. He loved it all!

Opening Presents

Cute Emily Driving Around Cute Cade

Love this picture of Uncle Joe playing with Dylan (taken through the window)

With the kids out of the way, I mean, er, gone, the adults took over the party. The biggest hit for us was definitely Megatron's Maze. It got a little silly, a lot crazy, and downright competitive.

Mimaw Attacked the Maze and Survived....Barely

Maureen and I started to race through the maze.
She got so damned serious, that I started laughing hysterically and just watched her
blaze through the maze without even noticing I had stopped.

Then Mike and Joe took a turn. Those big boys practically killed themselves trying to win.

They may still be in these same positions in the yard.

Mom Optimus and Bday Boy Bumblebee

Joe Racing Emily
Emily won by a long shot...as you can see, she literally flew through!

All of the kid guests got to leave with a goodie bag filled with some Transformer stuff - little tidbits like stickers, pencils, temporary tattoos and the like. The special addition was a crystal (what gives Transformers their energy). Also included...candy!

Bags Decorated with Cricut Machine

Gum Balls - Autobots Roll Out!

Chocolate with a Special Thank you Wrapper

Dylan had a ton of fun and I think (hope) the rest of the guests did as well. I counted it a successful party on my part. Now, I only have 6 months to work on Cade's birthday party. Back to the drawing board!